Herbicide Focus: BETASANA

If you want to control broad-leaved weeds in your sugar beet crop this year, there’s one contact herbicide that you should always look to as an initial base in your straights programme. BETASANA SC. Because BETASANA SC is incredibly flexible with both tank mixes and doses, it makes for a highly effective starting point for any sugar beet weed control efforts. However you traditionally build your straights programme, it’s certainly worth learning more about this herbicide.

What is BETASANA SC?

BETASANA SC (phenmedipham) is a post-emergence contact herbicide from UPL. You can use it on sugar beet, red beet, fodder beet and mangels to control annual broad-leaved weeds like:

Black-bindweed
Fat-hen
Charlock
Ivy-leaved speedwell

While effective on its own, BETASANA SC delivers extensive control in a sugar beet herbicide control programme alongside BETTIX FLO (metamitron) and EFECKT (ethofumesate).

How does BETASANA SC work?

As a suspension concentrate (SC), BETASANA works as a contact herbicide to control annual broad-leaved weeds after they’ve emerged in the field. It’s applied (primarily) across beet crops. It works on contact with weeds, which means it’s suitable for all types of soil. You can use it on organic, peaty and mineral soils. Apply BETASANA SC from initial emergence right through to close closure, as it's safe for all stages of crop growth. It’s also effective against volunteer oil seed rape.

Why is it good for growers?

There are several key reasons why BETASANA SC makes a super addition - or starting point - for any sugar beet herbicide programme.

1. Phenmedipham offers superb flexibility

Phenmedipham is the active ingredient in BETASANA SC, and it delivers effective control of broad-leaved weeds like fat hen and black-bindweed on its own. It’s super flexible and safe for all stages of growth. But phenmedipham is also known as a herbicide building block…

2. It has great tank mix options…

One of the reasons BETASANA SC is so flexible is because phenmedipham can be tank mixed with several other herbicides, helping you expand your control of weeds and increase yield. It can be safely mixed with:

Ethofumesate
Lenacil
Metamitron
Triflusulfuron-methyl
Clopyralid

3. … and a wide range of dose rates

Alongside its tank mix compatibility, BETASANA SC can also be applied in a range of doses and still be effective, so you can easily tailor it to your straights programme.

4. Its formulation is proven

BETASANA SC has been reliably supporting beet growers across the country for several years now. It’s an economic choice and an effective one, with trial results continuing to show its value - especially when mixed with two other key herbicides.

The power of three

If you’re looking for maximum control and effectiveness in your herbicide programme, consider pairing BETASANA SC with two other straights: EFECKT (ethofumesate) and BETTIX FLO (metamitron). This powerful trifecta has been proven to deliver near 100% control of fat hen. It also doubles down effectiveness against knotgrass and black-bindweed. In trials conducted by UPL with the BBRO at Bracebridge Health in 2022, where fat hen was prolific at 44 plants per m2, results were clear after just three sprays:

Ethofumesate or phenmedipham alone - 38% control
Ethofumesate or phenmedipham combined without metamitron - 84% control
Ethofumesate, phenmedipham AND metamitron tank mix - 100% control

How do you build your herbicide programme?

When you’re applying herbicides to your sugar beet, what’s your preferred option? What’s your go-to straight? Or straights? We’d love to hear your experiences with (and without) BETASANA SC.